Authors

Abstract

There is little research regarding ultrasound imaging of the muscle fibers and muscle quality for individual muscle groups of the lower extremity following an ACL reconstruction surgery. PURPOSE: The purpose of this case study was to determine if ACL bone-patella tendon-bone autograph reconstruction influenced the rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, and biceps femoris deep pennation angle, muscle thickness, and echo intensity measurements following post-ACL reconstruction rehabilitation. METHODS: A recreationally active male who received an ACL reconstruction surgery and 8-month post-surgery rehabilitation participated in this study (age=21yrs, ht=174cm, mass=82.5kg). The subject reported to the laboratory once a week for 12 weeks to obtain ultrasound images with a diagnostic ultrasound of both right and left rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, and the biceps femoris muscles. During image analysis the deep pennation angle (°), muscle thickness (cm), and muscle quality (echo intensity; 0-255 gray scale) were examined. RESULTS: The means of the image analysis are displayed in Table 1. No difference observed when comparing ipsilateral circumference across time. CONCLUSION: The average deep pennation angle and thickness of each muscle was larger in the right leg than the left leg. Echo intensity measurements showed no difference compared bilaterally. From these results, limitation in musculature pennation angle and thickness could be a potential cause for a decrease in maximal muscular performance following surgical procedures and rehabilitation of an ACL injury. Further research is needed.